Tips on Packing Food & Stuff

[mocame]

I will be bringing snacks and maybe a few breakfast items, like muffins or doughnuts in our suitcases. Does anyone have any tips on how to pack them so they don't get squashed?

Also, has anyone ever packed a few water bottles or containers of dish soap (to was mugs, etc.) in their suitcase? If so, how did you pack those? TIA.

[cglaura]

Muffins and donuts would go well in a plastic container / shoe box size.

For dish soap, a great idea is cut up sponges or paper towels, wet them, then squirt some soap, then let dry. Then take them along in a ziplock bag for convenient use and toss washings.

I've never packed water, but I do pack juice boxes. I triple ziplock them just in case of any leaks, only had that happen once, which is why I triple them now!

We always pack a separate bag for food, then use it for our souvies on the way home :thumbsup2

[jm106]

I will be bringing snacks and maybe a few breakfast items, like muffins or doughnuts in our suitcases. Does anyone have any tips on how to pack them so they don't get squashed?

Also, has anyone ever packed a few water bottles or containers of dish soap (to was mugs, etc.) in their suitcase? If so, how did you pack those? TIA.

you can have water delivered from Costoc- no need to be a member and its cheap(search, there are threads about it)
I have taken small dish soap before, no issue. I put it in ziplocks.
The shoe box idea is good for squish-ables.

[mocame]

Muffins and donuts would go well in a plastic container / shoe box size.

For dish soap, a great idea is cut up sponges or paper towels, wet them, then squirt some soap, then let dry. Then take them along in a ziplock bag for convenient use and toss washings.

I've never packed water, but I do pack juice boxes. I triple ziplock them just in case of any leaks, only had that happen once, which is why I triple them now!

We always pack a separate bag for food, then use it for our souvies on the way home :thumbsup2

Thank you for your reply! I will try the sponge idea for for the dish soap. That is more convenient and won't add as much weight to my suitcase.

When you said about a separate bag of food, did you mean you used that bag as your carry-on?

[mocame]

you can have water delivered from Costoc- no need to be a member and its cheap(search, there are threads about it)
I have taken small dish soap before, no issue. I put it in ziplocks.
The shoe box idea is good for squish-ables.

Oh, I thought you had to pay the membership before you could order. How do you order without the membership? Don't they ask for that when you place the order? How long before the trip do you order the water so it arrives in time? Thank you for that tip! :goodvibes

[cglaura]

Thank you for your reply! I will try the sponge idea for for the dish soap. That is more convenient and won't add as much weight to my suitcase.

When you said about a separate bag of food, did you mean you used that bag as your carry-on?

No, as a check in. Though with the new bag fees I'm not sure how cost effictive it is. Great for an airline that you get two free bags. I think you can carry on dry food stuff, but not liquids.

We usually each have 1 purse, 1 carry-on, 1 checked bag, then just 1 extra bag for the two of us w/ food (so checking 3 bags). Our airline charges $19 for first bag, $25 for add'l, each way. I'd spend alot more than $50 on cs breakfast food for two weeks, so it is worth it for me. I guess it depends on eating style, airline fees and length of stay.

[Lori1960]

Are you driving or flying.If flying are you renting a car.If renting a car I would buy the donuts and muffins at Walmart on the way to Disney

[ZoZo]

Your muffins and donuts would probably travel best in a sturdy Tupperware or Rubbermaid container (I have a great rectangular Rubbermaid container that's about the size of a loaf of bread). They still might get squished a bit just from the jostling, but would travel pretty well, I think.

I have never tried to do water bottles in my luggage, but it's mainly because I'm usually pretty close to the 50-lb. weight maximum for checked bags.

[dancin Disney style]

I would just use a shoe box then you can throw it out and have the extra space for souvies. Of course if you want to sacrifice a rubbermaid container you could do that too. I have found rubbermaid 'type' containers at the dollar store. I don't mind throwing those away. In fact we brought a few dollar store items to make ourselves a mini kitchen in our room. We had a cutting mat, a sharp knife and various sizes of ziplocs.

[mocame]

We are flying and using the DME, so we aren't renting a car. I have a local place where I can get food items pretty cheap and that's what I'm going to take down. I'll try the shoebox or Rubbermaid container and see what I have around the house that would work.

I was concerned about the cost of buying water in the parks and I don't have enough of an order for Garden Grocer or Goodings. I did contact Staples and they will deliver water (or anything else I would order) to the resort for a delivery charge of $9.95. I'm currently checking into Costco.

Thank you so much for your help. I appreciate it! :)

[mocame]

you can have water delivered from Costoc- no need to be a member and its cheap(search, there are threads about it)
I have taken small dish soap before, no issue. I put it in ziplocks.
The shoe box idea is good for squish-ables.

Well, I contacted Costco and they said that I would have to be a member ($50.00) and they said they do not deliver to resorts or hotels.

I guess I'll have to go with Staples.

[mommymeg]

Well, I contacted Costco and they said that I would have to be a member ($50.00) and they said they do not deliver to resorts or hotels.

I guess I'll have to go with Staples.




Can anyone else verify this? I was planning to order 2 cases from costco in 2 weeks, but I don't have a membership!!! I might have to readjust my plans!

[megsters]

Can anyone else verify this? I was planning to order 2 cases from costco in 2 weeks, but I don't have a membership!!! I might have to readjust my plans!

ive had a few friends deliever to the resort and they dont have memberships, so im fairly certain it works. i've ordered a few things that were delievered to the house and you def. dont have to have a membership...they charge you like 50 cents or something like that

good luck !

[mocame]

Can anyone else verify this? I was planning to order 2 cases from costco in 2 weeks, but I don't have a membership!!! I might have to readjust my plans!

For what it's worth, here is the short and to the point e-mail that I received from Costco:



Thank you for your e-mail to Costco Wholesale.

Memberships start at $50, but we are unable to ship to resorts or hotels.



Thank you,

Melissa
Costco Wholesale Corporation


I know other people have had some sent to their resort but I'm not taking the chance. I'll use Staples. They said they would do it. Good luck!

[MariDisney]

Instead of taking dish soap, I've used a bit of shampoo to wash out mugs, etc. I figure soap is soap.

[dancin Disney style]

Can anyone else verify this? I was planning to order 2 cases from costco in 2 weeks, but I don't have a membership!!! I might have to readjust my plans!

You do not need a membership to order online. They will charge you a really tiny fee (less than $1) for a non member.

There is a long thread about ordering water from costco....I think it's on the budget board.

[dancin Disney style]

I found it right here in the Tip thread.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2025312

[mocame]

You do not need a membership to order online. They will charge you a really tiny fee (less than $1) for a non member.

There is a long thread about ordering water from costco....I think it's on the budget board.

Thank you for the information and link. I'll check it out AGAIN. Maybe I just had a misinformed customer service person. :confused3

[kidsicet]

Last year was the first year we stayed on-site. We ordered a case of water from Costco (we are not members) on-line, and it arrived safe and sound - no problem.

Regarding dish soap, another suggestion I have it to get a travel size pack of baby wipes. Pull some out and lay them on a counter, and squirt some dish soap on them. Let them dry, and just fold and put in a zip lock. You'll have pre-loaded dish cloths to use. It works nicely, and you don't have the bulky bottle of dish soap to pack (and no worries about a leaky bottle).

[DisneyNic]

We are flying and using the DME, so we aren't renting a car. I have a local place where I can get food items pretty cheap and that's what I'm going to take down. I'll try the shoebox or Rubbermaid container and see what I have around the house that would work.

I was concerned about the cost of buying water in the parks and I don't have enough of an order for Garden Grocer or Goodings. I did contact Staples and they will deliver water (or anything else I would order) to the resort for a delivery charge of $9.95. I'm currently checking into Costco.

Thank you so much for your help. I appreciate it! :)

Also, with the rubbermaid container, you can use it to store any breakable souveniers you may buy. My mom collects bells so she usually takes a small rubbermaid container with her and will put whatever she can fit inside of it on the way to her destination and then puts her bell inside surrounded by socks or a shirt for the trip home.

[JerseyMamaBear]

Water: have it shipped from an online store like staples to your resort. Shipping can be a bit pricey ($7-8) but well worth it.

Soap: We filled up a 30z travel size shampoo container and it worked perfect.

Snacks: Try for the center of your suitcase and if all else fails, ship a goody box to the hotel to arrive before you get there.

[bowne90]

When we went to WDW a few years back, we packed a separate bag for food. We packed poptarts, granola bars, fruit snacks, juice boxes, etc. We left everything in its original boxes. I tried not to pack things that would get squished. I also took those packets that you can add to bottled water to make lemonade, etc. They are great for carrying to the park.

[DonaldDuckFamily]

What about having GardenGrocer deliver water. You can bring some water bottles and purchase a 3 liter Easy Pour Bottle for $1.59. If your order from them is less than $200 then there is a $12 delivery fee, but this was cheaper than purchasing water at the park or resort. We also order bread, soda and fresh fruit. We packed a suitcase for just food (peanut butter, jelly, donuts, granola bars, rice krispie treats, juice mixes, etc.) and were able to use it on the way home for souvenirs. After I figured out all I spent on food, for a family of 5, it cost $3 per person/per day for breakfast and lunch. Then we ate out dinner each night using points we accumulated on our Disney Rewards Card.:yay:

[Ddennis37]

I didn't read every reply but are you flying to Orlando or driving?

We flew in '06 and will be flying in June. We rent a car although we're staying on-site but we do a lot off site and find having a car very useful for us. Our first stop is a WalMart Super Center where we purchase a styrofoam cooler, ice and all the snacks we need: milk, cheese, bread, pop tarts, microwave popcorn, chips, bottled water, chex mix, cereal, etc. We usually carry a small backpack with us to the parks and we bring along water, sandwiches and other snacks plus sunscreen. This helps us save a little money and snack on stuff, usually while standing in line for an attraction.

I even thought about shipping our liquids to our resort a couple days before we fly out since you have to pay for your first checked bag on the airlines and unless you have 3oz tubes, you can't carry that stuff on. But I haven't made up my mind yet. We love taking a break mid day and having food to snack on in our rooms instead of eating out a lot. We'll probably also get some of the single mac and cheese, ravioli's, etc. because you can take them to the food court at our resort and warm them up in the microwave.

[KSG'sDisneyMem]

Pack a backpack or other carry on size luggage with your donuts, muffins and other items. That way, you have control over them not getting squished, and not taking up all that space in your luggage. Just use the empty carry on for your souvies to return home with. I do this every time I fly to Orlando.

[mreid1974]

We packed breakfast stuff when we went in March.. Bagels and pretzels and donuts stuff like that.. We had a seperate suitcase for this.. The bottom part of a suitcase is usually stronger so you put it on the bottom and put a few clothes over them.. Our bagels and breat and stuff ended up not squished at all.. The best part is on the way back you have a empty suitcase for anything you buy!!!!

[jakemel]

We faced this dilemma on our trip last year. I went to target and paid for a refillable water bottle with built in filter. They will give you free cups of ice water in the park at any concessions stand or counter service restaurant. We started out with our bottles filled with ice water from the resort and then just asked for ice water during the day and filled them up. Total cost for three bottles $30 Total cost for ten days worth of water $FREEEEE saved us a fortune! Plus we have the bottles to take back with us this year. Drugstore.com has them for $8.99 with free shipping on orders over $25. Another tip since extra bags are so high to check, ship yourself a package to your resort, they will hold it for you until you arrive. Also check out Gardengrocer.com they will deliver to the resorts for $12 and have pretty much everything you can get at the grocery store, milk, fruit, cereal, juiceboxes, etc. We used an electric hot water pot to heat water for instant oatmeal and hot chocolate in the room for breakfast and took a loaf of bread in a plastic shoe box for pb and j sammies for kids snacks, also packed muffins, pop tarts and snack pack cookies and crackers in the plastic shoe boxes from the dollar tree, just tossed them when we left.